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Joakim Soria Willing to Take Set up Role with New York Yankees

November 6th, 2012 at 7:45 AM By Daniel Sirianni

Free agent Joakim Soria has received plenty of interest on the free agent market from teams looking for a closer, but the two-time All-Star would still sign with the New York Yankees if given the chance to be Mariano Rivera's set up man.

"If the Yankees call, we will be all ears," said Soria's agent, Oscar Suarez. "If there is a fit, Joakim would be elated to work with Mo. He would close everywhere except there."

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has not reached out to Soria or his agent, but could become interested if Rafael Soriano signs with another team. Soriano split the set up role with David Robertson last season before replacing Rivera as the team's closer in May after Rivera's season was ended short by a torn ACL.

Soria, 28, became a free agent after the Kansas City Royals declined his $8 million team option for next season. He missed the entire season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, but is expected to return to the Majors by May.

In 2011, the veteran right-hander was 5-5 with a 4.03 ERA and 28 saves for the Royals. However, he holds a career ERA of 2.40 and has 160 career saves in 180 opportunities.

Soria has pitched his entire five-year career with the Royals, but would like to join a contending team next year. Suarez says eight contending teams have contacted him about signing his client Soria.

The Yankees have targeted Soria in trade talks in the past and need a future replacement for Rivera, who turns 43 this month and could be heading into his final season, so New York could have mutual interest in getting a deal done.